Royal Challengers failed to defend 177 against Kolkata

Tournament favourites Bangalore began their IPL campaign with defeat to Kolkata but bookmakers expect them to right those wrongs in their second outing.

With a top four of Brendon McCullum, Quinton de Kock, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Bangalore are always going to pile on the runs but their bowlers will have to perform better than they did against the Knight Riders when they failed to defend a target of 177.

Only Umesh Yadav (2-27) went for less than eight runs an over in that game and while opening bowler Chris Woakes chipped in with three wickets, he conceded 36 runs.

Indeed Bangalore’s bowlers were hit for 15 fours and nine maximums in that contest and that is a concern against a powerful Punjab unit.

The Kings XI top order found the rope with regularity in their opening six-wicket win over Delhi and if they show the same intent they could upset the favourites.